Things to Consider When Using a Symbol or Punctuation in a Legal Business Name
For decades, businesses have been adding a bit of flair to their names, hoping to stand out among their peers. Names like “@WonderWhy LLC,” “#DogDays Company,” or “Digital$$$$! LLC” illustrate the types of special characters that may appear in Delaware business names, but there’s a catch. While a clever ampersand, asterisk, or dash might make your name stand out, it can also create complications with registration, contracts, and your online presence. Before choosing a company name with special characters, there are a few things to research.
Why Special Characters Matter
Plenty of businesses opt to include special characters to give their names personality and make them more memorable. But these same characters can also introduce complications. Certain symbols may be restricted or prohibited by state registration offices, and inconsistent use across legal documents can create confusion. Special characters may also pose challenges for online presence, including domain names and social media handles.
Ultimately, special characters can enhance your branding and clarity, but only if you understand the potential challenges that come with them.
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What Characters are Allowed?
Does the State of Delaware recognize all the characters and symbols in your business name? The allowable characters to include on a filing with the Delaware Division of Corporations include capital and lowercase letters A-Z, numerals 0-9, and all of the following symbols and punctuation:
! “ ” # $ % & ’ ( ) * + , - . ? / \ : ; @ { } [ ] ~ _ ^ ` |
Note that any characters used must be consistent across all official documents, from your formation certificate to tax filings and licenses. Even a small difference, such as including a period in one document but omitting it in another, can cause administrative issues.
Creating a Company Name with Special Characters
Creating a Delaware company with special characters in the name follows essentially the same process as registering a business with a standard name. After choosing a name with the proper entity designation (LLC, Inc., etc.), check to see if the name is available. Our team can help with a free Delaware company name check, which will ensure that your name is unique.
When completing the IRS Form SS-4 to obtain the company’s Tax ID Number, there are more things to consider when including a special character in your company name. Because of system limitations, the IRS does not recognize many symbols and punctuation in business entity names. Even if they are allowed by the state of Delaware, keep in mind that the IRS has its own set of guidelines. Per the IRS, the only characters IRS systems can accept in a business name are:
- letters A through Z
- numbers 0 through 9
- ampersand (&)
- hyphen (-).
If the name of the company contains anything other than what is listed above, the best alternative is to substitute the unrecognized character or punctuation when inputting the name of your business on the application form. For example, if your company name has a character or symbol like @, period, or a + sign, you may want to either spell the character’s name out or drop it entirely. For example, if the name of your company is Dog + Cat Inc, then you may enter Dog plus Cat Inc or drop the symbol and leave a space, Dog Cat Inc.
Another common occurrence is the use of an apostrophe in a business name. For example, if your legal name is Brett’s Holding Company, omit the ’ and submit the application as Bretts Holding Company. If your legal name contains a forward slash (/) or backward slash (\), these are often replaced with a hyphen (-). When choosing the name of your company, remember to consider the IRS system limitations and determine how to make substitutions for company names with special characters.
Searchability and Branding Impact
Symbols and punctuation can make a business name stand out visually, but they can also create challenges for online searchability. Search engines and social media sites often handle special characters inconsistently. A hyphen, ampersand, or period in your name may be interpreted differently by Instagram, DuckDuckGo, or some email systems, potentially making it harder for customers to find your business online.
When planning your name, it’s important to consider both digital and physical visibility. Ensure your website domain, email addresses, and social media handles can accommodate your chosen characters. Also, think about how your name will appear on signage and in legal documents. For example, if your company is named “Dog + Cat LLC,” decide whether your plain-text version will consistently be “Dog Plus Cat,” “Dog and Cat,” or “Dog Cat.” Striking a balance between creativity and practicality ensures that your name is both memorable and accessible.
Real Company Names with Special Characters
Plenty of well-known businesses use symbols or punctuation to make their names distinctive and memorable. With ampersands and hyphens, businesses can clarify meaning while adding a bit of flair to their names. Below are a few real-world examples of companies that have successfully incorporated special characters into their names.
- A&W — ampersand
- Yahoo! — exclamation point
- Disney+ — plus sign
- Ben & Jerry’s — ampersand and apostrophe
Company Name Best Practices
A company name should do more than just sound good. If you decide on a company name with special characters, think about how the name will work both visually and in plain text. Try to keep these best practices in mind when choosing a company name:
- Check your state's naming requirements
- Make it easy to spell and pronounce
- Check domain and social media availability
- Determine a plain-text version of the name
- Keep your branding consistent
There’s a lot to consider when naming your company, and the inclusion of symbols is certainly an important choice. Special characters can make a business name distinctive, but a name that works with the Delaware Division of Corporations won't necessarily work the same way with the IRS, domain names, or social platforms. Before forming your company, consider both the legal requirements and the practical implications of using the name you’ve chosen.
Should you have any questions about forming your new entity, feel free to reach out to our knowledgeable team via email at info@delawareinc.com, by phone at 800-345-2677 ext 6900, or via live chat. Harvard Business Services, Inc. is happy to help you check if your preferred business name is available and get you started with the business formation process once a name is chosen.
FAQs
Are there symbols that cannot be used in a legal business name?
The symbols and characters permitted in a legal business name depend on the state where the company is registered. Some states limit names to letters, numbers, and a defined set of punctuation marks or symbols. Characters outside a state's permitted set may be rejected during registration.
Does punctuation make a business name legally different from another name?
Sometimes. Delaware requires a proposed business name to be distinguishable from names already on the Division of Corporations' records, but punctuation alone may not make two names legally different. You shouldn’t assume that adding a period, hyphen, or other punctuation to an existing Delaware entity name will make the new name available. The safest approach is to check the proposed name through Delaware’s official Entity Name Availability tool or through your Delaware registered agent.
How do rules for companies with special characters vary by state?
Each state sets its own rules for business-name formatting and availability. One state may accept a particular symbol while another limits or processes it differently. States can also differ in how punctuation affects whether two names are considered distinguishable. Businesses should therefore check the naming rules of the state where they plan to register.
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Talk to an expert*Disclaimer*: Harvard Business Services, Inc. is neither a law firm nor an accounting firm and, even in cases where the author is an attorney, or a tax professional, nothing in this article constitutes legal or tax advice. This article provides general commentary on, and analysis of, the subject addressed. We strongly advise that you consult an attorney or tax professional to receive legal or tax guidance tailored to your specific circumstances. Any action taken or not taken based on this article is at your own risk. If an article cites or provides a link to third-party sources or websites, Harvard Business Services, Inc. is not responsible for and makes no representations regarding such source's content or accuracy. Opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of Harvard Business Services, Inc.